Handsfree only: New penalties for using a mobile phone while driving in Thailand

[webfact]

File photo

 

By Online Reporter

 

Tougher rules for drivers caught using a mobile phone behind the wheel are now in effect, government deputy spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana announced on Friday.

 

From now on, motorists must use a hands free connection if they need to make a call while at the wheel and are not allowed to have hold of their phone.

 

The regulation also applies when drivers are sitting in stationary traffic.

 

Under the new regulation, use of a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel will be punished whether a driver is making a call, using it on loudspeaker, texting, filming, taking a picture or using the internet.

 

Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/handsfree-only-new-penalties-for-using-a-mobile-phone-while-driving-in-thailand/

 

-- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-10-15

 

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[webfact]

Drivers are able to use phones while driving in Thailand but only with hands-free or Bluetooth devices, clarifies government

By Goongnang Suksawat

 

PHOTO: Bangkok Pattaya Hospital

 

National — The government spokesperson announced that drivers in Thailand are now allowed to use their phones while driving but only with hands-free or Bluetooth devices.

 

The new rule is the amendment to the Land Traffic Act, which went into effect after being announced in the Royal Gazette on Friday, October 7th, clarifying that car drivers are now able to use their phones to communicate wirelessly or with a Bluetooth device without having to hold their phones while driving.

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/10/14/drivers-are-able-to-use-phones-while-driving-in-thailand-but-only-with-hands-free-or-bluetooth-devices-clarifies-government/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-10-15

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[TheFishman1]

I thought the phone use while driving was already in effect a few months ago remember reading about it oh I guess for a few days or make news after that nobody will care TIT

[jaiyen]

Other countries have big fines and loss of demerit points and still catch hundreds of phoe users every week. Thailand has no chance of stopping it. It is the norm for drivers and riders to be on the phone.

[mushroomdave]

It's about time......although it will still not change anything as TIT !!!

[Padthaigoong]

Family of four on a motorbike with no helmets still ok ?

[Snig27]

I guess this will go into the same "it's the law but we won't enforce it until sometime in the future after people get used to it" box as the other recent tougher traffic laws. Meanwhile two cops sat and watched while I was almost run down by a driver not stopping on a crossing a few days back. 

[Snig27]

15 minutes ago, Padthaigoong said:

Family of four on a motorbike with no helmets still ok ?

As long as they wear a mask each they will be safe.

[smedly]

12 minutes ago, Padthaigoong said:

Family of four on a motorbike with no helmets still ok ?

they generally are only a risk to themselves, using a mobile device is entirely different and is recognized across the world as one of the top causes of road collisions which is why it is being addressed with severe penalties

[Geoffggi]

Does this new rule also apply to motorbike riders ...........................LOL

[prakhonchai nick]

30 minutes ago, Padthaigoong said:

Family of four on a motorbike with no helmets still ok ?

Only 4?  Regularly see 5 up down my way!

[Moti24]

There should be penalties for pedestrians, and those who are glued to their phones in shopping malls; I'm fed-up with having to walk around them!

[Tosseroon]

Line man, Grab, Pandafood etc Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! 

 

[rwill]

400 to 1,000 baht fine.  To be reviewed in 5 years.

 

It's a good law to have.  But like most good laws in Thailand very little enforcement.

Edited October 14, 2022 by rwill

[Andycoops]

1 hour ago, jaiyen said:

Other countries have big fines and loss of demerit points and still catch hundreds of phoe users every week. Thailand has no chance of stopping it. It is the norm for drivers and riders to be on the phone.

Not to mention motorcycle riders!

[Andycoops]

Another one if thousands of laws that will be occasionally enforced as and when the BiB get off their own phones in the station.

[Robert Tyrrell]

Good Morning,

 

I hope this applies to motorcycles as well Thailand ??
I see just as many if not more motorcycle drivers playing with there phones while driving, If it’s anything like helmet enforcement or many people sitting in the back of open pick-up trucks , This Law will be another laughing stalk that RTP hardly enforces !!    

[ikke1959]

Nothing will change, because the RTP doesn't enforce the law. In fact EVERY policeman should stop drivers if he saw that they were using the phone, but that will be not done

[Nicholas Paul KNIGHT]

Now let me guess who will be doing the enforcing, hopefully NOT the RTP Officer I saw using his phone while driving a POLICE CAR the other day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jacko45k]

Good luck with that..... can't see inside vehicles here anyhow. But you just know they are on the phone when driving behind them. 

[edogthong]

Texting while driving is an integral part of Thai culture at this point. It's good that they're finally addressing the issue but I don't think this measure will have a big effect. I really wish they would do something about all the motorbike drivers who drive around at night with no lights. I've never even seen it mentioned yet it's the one issue that's put me in danger the most times. It's always just about helmets which only endanger your own life.

[10baht]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Under the new regulation, use of a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel will be punished whether a driver is making a call, using it on loudspeaker, texting, filming, taking a picture or using the internet.

Screw this, just go after the violators of existing laws, like riding a motor bike the wrong way on a street. Never mind when a Thai does it in a car or truck. There is so much low hanging fruit out there that the police with boots on the ground can't handle it. And the administrators just can't resist making new laws to make themselves appear relevant. 

[mikebell]

47 minutes ago, rwill said:

400 to 1,000 baht fine.  To be reviewed in 5 years.

 

It's a good law to have.  But like most good laws in Thailand very little enforcement.

How can it be enforced with the police ignoring the high percentage of drivers with illegal blacked out windows?

[Archie Baker]

What about all those people behind a pair of handle bars.  Does the law apply to them?  

[ChrisY1]

Just can't see this idea working.....but, a nice try just the same!

[kennw]

2 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

I thought the phone use while driving was already in effect a few months ago remember reading about it oh I guess for a few days or make news after that nobody will care TIT

For their safety I hope this "new rule" also applies to motorbike riders since the are the most vulnerable IE 80% of deaths 

[10baht]

1 hour ago, smedly said:

they generally are only a risk to themselves,

If Thailand wants to become a Euro-like nanny state , it needs to try and protect even those who are only endangering themselves. And the kids on the motorbike are the ones needing protection as the dysfunctional  parents  don't give a damn. 

[jacko45k]

3 minutes ago, Archie Baker said:

What about all those people behind a pair of handle bars.  Does the law apply to them?  

Back seat tandem riders?

OP seemed very specific about being 'behind the wheel'. Doesn't matter really, cannot be implemented. It would be possible after an accident to determine if a person was on the phone at the time of the incident, and thus could be prosecuted. 

[SuwadeeS]

1. I do not believe that this law will be nationwide and strict enforced.

2. Since the people even do not care to darken their Windows completly, how will they check it. The police is even afraid of enforcing this against the rich and powerful.

3. As we all know, Thais do not care at all about the traffic laws. Remember how long the law exist against .motorcycles on the sidewalk. It's still the Same.

4. Thais are learning resistent when it comes to the laws.

5. The RTP is to lazy too to do their job  excepted when it comes to foreigners who ate easy to rip off.

6. As long they do not use automated camaras for speeding and phone using Systems, nothing will happen.

7.Thailand never will improve.

 

We could go forever.

[LukKrueng]

2 hours ago, Snig27 said:

Meanwhile two cops sat and watched while I was almost run down by a driver not stopping on a crossing a few days back. 

Was he on the phone?